What is Early Years Family Support?
Our Early Years Practitioners assist the families of pre-school children on the autism spectrum through the different stages of their development by providing advice, referral and consultation with regard to early years support.
Autism SA’s Early Years Practitioners support families and early childhood educators in the development of pre-school children on the autism spectrum.
Our family-centred early years practitioners utilise evidence-based strategies to work in collaboration with the team around your child, including other members of the family, early childhood educators and other professionals.
We work together to encourage everyday learning and help generalise new skills across home, child care, preschool, playgroups and in the community. Support can be provided at home, in an early childhood education and care setting, or at an Autism SA site.
How can I benefit from early intervention?
Early Years Practitioners provide support, skills and strategies in a wide range of areas including, but not limited to:
- Managing behaviours of concern
- Self-help skill development
- Development of communication skills
- Social development and play skills
- Separation / transitioning / coping with change, and
- Supporting sensory needs.
In addition, our team can support the team around the child in:
- Determining the child’s abilities and goal setting
- Promoting the child’s learning and participation
- Positive behaviour support, and
- Participation in education review/planning meetings.
How can I access the service?
Our Early Years consultant support in homes or clinics may be accessed via NDIS Plan or Fee for service options.
An Early Childhood setting can also submit a Request for service for support from our team funded through Ministerial Advisory Committee: Students with Disabilities (MAC), State Government Grant funding, which is free to parents and preschool centers.
